After Danny Valencia caught the same flu bug as Justin Morneau and Delmon Young, Twins manager Ron Gardenhire made the decision to forfeit the last two games of the series against the Orioles.  “Let’s face it,” Gardenhire said in his press conference, “the boys aren’t into it.” 

He added that it did not help the team’s motivation to be playing in an almost deserted Camden Yards, where every yahoo’s hurtful catcall can be clearly heard.  “Not only that,” Gardenhire added, “but the weather has not been all that, we haven’t been happy with the umpiring, and no one except Cuddyer and one of the Oriole fans, apparently, is interested in pitching.”

When asked to confirm, Cuddyer said that he did offer to pitch, as well as play second and first.  “If the bleacher fan isn’t kidding about pitching, heck, I’ll do all of the fielding.”

Joe Nathan confirmed that he has now removed himself from the pitching staff altogether. 

Alexi Casilla said through an interpreter that he was more than happy “to get out of the spotlights” and not to bat and field for a couple of days.  He also revealed that several of the veterans have been invited to fish with Joe Mauer at his cabin before the Cleveland series this weekend.